In 2020 I replaced the upper & lower control arms, sway bar, tie rods (driver side only) & shocks as well as the power steering pump and alternator. There had always been a little play in the steering but it has got progressively worse over the last few months.
As you can see in the video there is considerable play along with a grinding noise, which can’t be good!
Before looking in the car I did some internet research and was ready to check the coupler, expecting it to be the problem. Imagine my surprise when I found that the steering box looked nothing like the ones I had found online. Yet another area I have no real idea about other than I know it can be ‘tweaked’ using the screw on the case + it should be greased. I suspect this hasn’t been greased in decades….
And based on the tag on the case (HCC-AT) this is a steering box for a manual steering car so someone added the power steering at some point.
You can see the play in the steering in the following video.
My Mustang Journey 